City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden announced the start of the public review this week for a 300-block rezone of parts of Glendale, Maspeth, and Middle Village, a sign the proposal has been certified and can move towards City Council approval.

Since 2002, the Bloomberg Administration has rezoned approximately 4,000 blocks in Queens, to protect lower-density neighborhoods from overdevelopment.

This latest rezone would build on several other rezoning projects passed by City Council in Western Queens in the past few years, resolutions aimed to control building on hundreds of blocks in Glendale, Middle Village, and Maspeth, "three of Queens most attractive neighborhoods," according to Burden.

In a statement announcing the public review, Burden said the 300-block proposal, likely the last in this part of Queens, "benefited greatly from the advocacy and knowledge of community members and from the leadership of council members [Elizabeth] Crowley and [Melinda] Katz."

If approved, the plan would ensure the three neighborhoods remain family friendly - and perhaps even reasonably affordable - for generations to come.

The plan aims to designate RD5 zoning district status to stretches of Woodhaven Boulevard and Myrtle Avenue, allowing for the construction of apartments 40 feet high or lower. These potential new units could "provide modest housing opportunities" for residents in the area, according to City Planning.

The rezone would also support commerce in the area by updating commercial overlays along Cooper, Myrtle, Flushing, Grand, and Metropolitan avenues and Woodhaven Boulevard.

"I am pleased that the Department of City Planning is moving forward with the rezoning proposal of Middle Village, Maspeth, and Glendale," Crowley said in a statement. "The proposed rezoning will limit overdevelopment and protect the character of our community."

Crowley promised to continue working with City Planning to implement the rezone as quickly as possible.

Community Board 5 now has two months to review the rezone proposal. Once CB5 finishes its review, the plan goes to the Borough President, the City Planning Commission, and the City Council.